2 sailors from Hawaii rescued from remote Pacific island
Crew members from the cruise ship Celebrity Solstice rescue two sailors after their 37-foot sailing vessel sustained severe damage when it ran aground, stranding them on a small remote island near Malden Island, Kiribati. The men were en route to Tahiti from Lanai, Hawaii, when they ran aground on a coral reef in their vessel, Hina Nui. (Courtesy photo)
The U.S. Coast Guard says a cruise ship rescued two men after their sailboat ran aground on a remote island between Hawaii and Tahiti.
The men reported they were not injured when their ship ran aground near Malden Island in Kirabati.
But their 37-foot vessel, Hina Nui, suffered irreparable damage. The men were sailing from Lanai to Tahiti at the time.
One of the sailors called his wife with a satellite phone. She called the Coast Guard late Wednesday.
The Coast Guard contacted the Celebrity Solstice cruise ship, which was about 184 miles away. The ship agreed to divert its course and pick up the men. They were taken to the cruise ship Thursday morning.
The Celebrity Solstice is currently on its way to Hawaii.
Don't miss out on what's happening!
Stay in touch with top news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It's FREE!
